The "provocative move," as the DOD called it, comes several days after the U.S. said it struck a Venezuelan drug-carrying vessel, killing 11 on board.
Graduated pilots will now complete the carrier qualification during follow on training at their fleet replacement squadron, a Navy spokesperson said.
The North Carolina-based attack squadron flew its final Harrier flight May 29.
The Air Force said it is also preparing to award a contract to convert the Boeing 747-8 into a presidential transport plane.
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